DETROIT LIONS: Buccaneers will not be overlooked

Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (21) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Ryan Clark (25) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (34) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. The Steelers won 37-27. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

In their last loss, the Buccaneers jumped out to a 21-0 lead on the Seahawks at Seattle where it’s nearly impossible for visitors to pull an upset these days. The Bucs lost in overtime, but made a statement that day that no one should bury them just yet.

So it makes sense that the Lions, holding onto a 6-4 record, are not looking past Tampa Bay (2-8). Detroit plays the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, but first things first.

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“You have to go out and prepare for that opponent and do your very best that week and then move on to the next one,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said. “You have to take that methodical approach. You can’t look at people’s records. Our team, coaches, nobody really looks at records anyway because you look at what they do on film and who their players are and the matchups and things like that. Those are the things that are important this week against Tampa Bay.’’

The Lions, coming off a heart-breaking loss at Pittsburgh, have not lost back-to-back games this season.

“I like our guys’ mentality that way,’’ Schwartz said. “We’ve had our losses this year, but we’ve done a good job bouncing back from those. If we want to be successful, we’re going to have to do that this Sunday. I think our team is motivated to do it.”

These final six contests will determine whether they are indeed a playoff team.

“I guarantee you that (the Buccaneers) don’t care what’s at stake for us,’’ Schwartz said. “I think everybody in the NFL is in the same boat, we’re just playing football each Sunday.”

Tampa Bay’s defense, which features cornerback Darrelle Revis, is its strength and the Lions respect that.

“They’re an extremely talented defense. Probably the most talented defense we’ll be playing all year,’’ quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “You look at what they spent, resource-wise, draft pick-wise, I don’t know if there is anybody later than a third round draft pick starting on defense for them. These guys are top notched, talented players.’’

The Lions’ offense was on fire in the loss at Pittsburgh a week ago, but only in the second quarter.

Stafford has to get the offense back on track for a complete game against the Bucs. He completed just three of 16 passes in the second half last Sunday none to Calvin Johnson.

“It’s definitely not fun being in that situation. Whether it was getting the ball batted at the line of scrimmage, missing a guy, having a drop pass, whatever it was we couldn’t connect in the second half,’’ Stafford said. “We have to avoid stretches like that. We have to do something to get back on track. We’re a good enough offense that we can do that. We just didn’t do it in this game. That’s the part that you have to look back at and learn from it.”

Reggie Bush had a bad day running the ball, but he’s been good this season at bouncing back the next game after struggling.

Johnson will get some help of wide receiver Nate Burleson who will return to action for the first time since Sept. 22. He was the Lions’ No. 2 receiver after the first three games.

The defense is also expected to get nickel Bill Bentley and defensive end Ziggy Ansah back.

The Lions will play four of their next five games at Ford Field, finishing up the season at Minnesota.

While the Lions are 3-3 on the road, they are 3-1 at home and happy to be back.

“Anytime you can play in your own building it’s easier for an offense,’’ Stafford said. “You control the snap count. You can control the pace of the game a little bit better than you can on the road. We love being at home. Obviously, every team does. We’re looking forward to getting back to it.”